St. Walter's School

Monthly News

Monthly Update: 4/28/2010

I am shocked that this is the May newsletter. Where has this year gone? I stand looking at a group of "ready -for -first " graders -they are ready ! Let's tidy up some loose ends for this last month;

**May 5th- we will do a mini-Cinco de Mayo class celebration!

**Book orders- this is the last order of the year so keep summer reading in mind. You may want to stash a few books away for a rainy day .Orders are due by Monday, May 10th. Thanks to all who have ordered over the year-our class got some great new books!

**Arts Festival - Monday, May 10th –it is revamped this year so look for info in the brown envelope. Artwork will also be on exhibit from the entire kindergarten year.

**Library books - our last check-out will be May 17th with all returns on May 24th. Any fines/missing book notices will be sent out on that day.

**Field trip-Thursday, May 6th to Indiana Dunes . We will be traveling with the 7th graders to West Beach. We will be hiking and having a talk about erosion with a naturalist. Then we will enjoy the sand and sun (think positive!) and eat our picnic lunch. Your child needs a disposable lunch and extra drink . We will be bringing coolers but everything must be disposable-no glass allowed. Gym uniforms-sweatshirts are best as they tie about the waist and are easy to shake sand from! No sandals, no sunglasses, no beach toys ,no caps. Please put sunblock lotion on at home . Chaperones have received a letter with details about the day.

**Classbooks - please return all classbooks by Friday, May 21st. Thank you for all the positive feedback/funny comments on the Parent Comment sheets. I hope you have enjoyed sharing them, watching the class change and your child grow. We have a few missing-please check under the couch ,beds, etc.!

**Track & field day -Thursday, May 20th- what a fun day this is ! It is St. Walter Olympics all morning long at Kennedy Park-114th & Western . Lunch is provided by the Athletic Association. I hope to see you there -it is a great parent participation day !

**Reading lists - please turn in your April list as soon as possible. Six Flags tickets will be distributed soon.

**Summer birthdays/snack days - We will be celebrating the "summer" sixers as part of the star students for this final month. Thanks for all the great snacks this year.

**Kindergarten Celebration-Wednesday, June 2nd at 7:00 in Peterson Hall. Mark your calendar now and notify family of the date so they can join us -they won't want to miss it! It is YOUR CHILD'S BIG NIGHT ! More information will follow as it gets closer. Also, this IS our last day of class.

**Bookbags- thank you for working at home on the flashcards and mini-readers. The children have become great oral readers from just a little homework!

**Marist helper-our class helper, Sean will be leaving us on May 12th. Sean has been with us all year. If you would like to contribute to a giftcard for Sean, please send $1 or $2 dollars before May 7th to my attention-just label it “Mrs. C”. He has been a big help!

WELL....you will be hearing from me again shortly. Thanks for sharing your "almost- first- grader " with me ! I am sooooooo proud of how much they have grown - mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically -kudos to all of you !

P.S. We may be taking a short field trip late in the month to First American Bank right next door. Mrs. Morgan is our Junior Acheivement teacher for the next 6 weeks.

Monthly Update: 4/6/2010

Okay, I think spring is here so Happy Spring! We are rounding the "home-stretch" of Kindergarten-only a few more love letters from me to you. Here's the latest;

**field trips- Our final trip is Thursday, May 6, we will be traveling to the Indiana Dunes-West Beach .More info to follow later but fieldtrip form is attached. (We begin Jr. Achievement so we may be taking a short trip to the bank later in May.)

**work/behavior lights- this last trimester is preparation for first grade. Students will be required to work more independently and QUIETLY. This may prove difficult for some. Students will still be working in groups at certain times of the day, but we will be practicing quiet work times more often. Many times students feel like the "honeymoon" is over, they may not feel like coming to school. Please encourage your child to talk about it with you but express your support by positive comments. You may see more yellow lights again. I do take time to talk with each child who has received a yellow light before they leave for the day to discuss and encourage proper behavior for the next day. Remember, a child can show corrected behavior and return to the green light! Thank you for your support.

**Reading - the inventive spelling is FABULOUS! Help your child by encouraging them to "sound things out ", play rhyming games, read his favorite story and ask him to point out words he already knows. Remember not to force reading by memorization-if he is not ready, it will only frustrate him and deflate his confidence. As with anything, one child may be spelling while another is struggling with letter recognition. This IS a readiness skill. Kindergarten is a journey, not a race!

**Easter items - mission (rice bowl) banks can still be turned in Thank you to all who sent wrapped treats –our bunny bags were bursting with goodies! I hope you enjoyed the plastic Lenten eggs and your child was able to share what they have learned with you .

**Library Books- please remember if your child does not return a book, they cannot check out a new book until the following week. We do have a holding spot if they are returned prior to check-out.

**Book orders-are due Friday, April 16th. Next month will be the last order so stock up now for summer! Perhaps your child can do a chore or 2 to earn a book of their choice.

**Book lists-please return March lists as soon as possible-final Pizza Hut month...any February lists out there?

**Kindergarten Mass- the K-1-2 Mass will be celebrated this Thursday, April 15 at 8:30. We will celebrate with the Saint Walter Parish Family on Sunday, April 25 at 10:30 Mass. Hope you can join us. Several students will bring up the gifts at each Mass..

**Kindergarten Program-mark your calendars now for Wednesday, June 2nd for the celebration of our year. Inform grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other family members of the date so they can plan on attending.

I hope you and your child had a blessed Easter and RELAXING break! Thanks for sharing your "honey-bunny" with me!